Issaquah station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Issaquah Depot
|
|
Issaquah Depot in 2009
|
|
 Location in Washington (state)
|
|
| Location | 78 1st Ave NW, Issaquah, WA 98027 |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular depot |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001461 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1990 |
The Issaquah Station, also known as the Issaquah Depot, is a historic train station located in Issaquah, Washington. It's a special building because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of American history. Built way back in 1889, this station first served as a place for passengers to catch trains and for freight (goods) to be stored.
Back then, the town wasn't even called Issaquah! It was known as Gilman, and before that, Squak Valley. The station was built for a company called the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway (SLS&E). Just a few years after it opened, in the 1890s, another big train company, the Northern Pacific Railway, took over the SLS&E.
The Issaquah Depot stopped being used for passengers in the 1940s. Eventually, the Northern Pacific Railway stopped using the building completely in 1962.
Contents
A New Life for the Old Station
For many years, the old train station sat empty. But in 1984, the City of Issaquah bought the building. They wanted to save this important piece of history!
Bringing History Back to Life
Work to restore the depot began in 1985. It took several years, but by the early 1990s, the restoration was complete. The building looked almost new again! In 1990, the depot was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical value.
The Depot as a Museum Today
Today, the Issaquah Depot is no longer a working train station. Instead, it's a fascinating museum! It's managed by a non-profit group called the Issaquah Historical Museums. When you visit, you can learn all about the history of trains, the town of Issaquah, and what life was like when the station was busy with travelers and freight. It's a great way to step back in time and see how people traveled and traded goods over a hundred years ago.
See also
- Issaquah Valley Trolley
- National Register of Historic Places listings in King County, Washington
